Grace POV

'Grace?' Lila asked 'Grace...did you...did you just say that you killed your mom?' I could tell that Lila was worried about me, worried about what kind of monster she had let into her room.

'It was an accident' I said automatically 'But yes...I'm the reason she's dead' My words hung in the air. Lila paced around the room. 'I'm surprised you didn't know' I chuckled, glancing at her over my shoulder 'Everyone else knew before me' I shrugged 'They all thought I was crazy'

'Grace, what you're saying is serious, don't joke about something like that.'

'I'm not' I turned around to face her. 'I'm not lying Lila' I added. Her mouth opened and closed like a goldfish. I pushed off from the window ledge, past her and towards the door 'I should be getting back to the others. They'll wonder where I am' I opened the door and began to leave.

'Grace' Lila called after me. I glanced back at her 'be careful' She added. I nodded and left the room.

Two days later

'I think this is a new record Gracie' Jamie patted me on my back 'Two days staying in the Embassy and not arguing about it. I'm proud of you'

'I can follow orders you know. I just choose not to' I shrugged. Jamie narrowed his eyes but didn't say anything.

'Grace!' Ms. Chancellor called. 'May I have a word?'

'Go on' Jamie whispered, shoving me in her direction 'You haven't talked to her since you've been back. Give her a chance to explain Grace'

'Give her a chance?' I hissed, whirling on him 'How much do you actually know?'

'Clearly not as much as you' He challenged

'Grace' Ms. Chancellor called again. I groaned internally, I was caught between a rock and a hard place. Do I go with my brother and tell him the truth (or what I know about it)? Or do I go with Ms. Chancellor and have to tell her the truth about the letter…

'I can't keep her waiting' I backed away from Jamie

'We still need to talk, Grace' He called after me. I smiled, turning away from him and walking the remaining distance towards my grandfather's assistant.

'How have you been Gracie?' She asked, all too chipper.

'How have I been Ms. Chancellor?' I tilted my head, the smile still playing on my face. If Ms. Chancellor sensed my tone, she didn't comment. She just opened her office door and gestured for me to go in.

'Shall we?'

I entered her office remembering the last time I was here; when I remembered what had happened, when I found the real report, when I was drugged by her and woke up in the tower - locked away like a proper princess.

Ms. Chancellor closed the door behind her and walked around to her seat, leaving me standing awkwardly in the middle of her room.

'Now, Grace' She sat down and clasped her hands together 'Care to tell me what you got in the post this morning?'

'My post is private'

'I agree. However, with recent circumstances, it's best if everything is shared' She looked at me carefully. I folded my arms and raised my eyebrow

'Then why don't you share first?' Ms. Chancellor sat back in her seat, weighing up her words.

'The society have fears for your safety Grace. It's best if you stay in the Embassy. Now, can you tell me what was in the letter?'

'It was Thomas. He was wishing me well. Whatever that means' I shrugged, the lie rolling off my tongue far too easily.

'Are you telling me the truth?'

'You've known me long enough to work that out for yourself'

'Grace' She sighed rubbing her forehead 'Please don't act like this'

'Like what?' I snapped

'Like a child!'

'NEWSFLASH! I AM A CHILD!' I shouted back. Ms. Chancellor looked at me carefully.

'We both know that you haven't been a child for a long time Grace' Her voice was plagued with sadness. She knew the cost of everything that had happened to me; I had lost my youth, I had lost my innocence, I had lost my security, and my outlook on the world had morphed. Now I was looking at the bad in everyone, including myself.

'Would you tell me if I was in any danger?' I asked calmer

'I'd be more surprised if you weren't in danger, Grace'

'This won't end well, Ms. Chancellor' I warned. She sighed and remove her glasses, cleaning them on her cloth she produced from her pocket.

'I completely agree Grace' She looked back at me 'The real question is; are you with us or against us?'

'You should ask yourself that'

Author's note: I hope that everyone had a good festive season! Happy 2018! I've so sad that it's over, but I'm excited for what this year could potentially have in store and I'm looking forward to all the stories I have brewing in this little head of mine (literally my head is so tiny). Thank you all for waiting patiently! See you all next Sunday xxx

A New Look: It could be Alexei...It might be Alexei...but it will be messy...xxx

Dreamer0704: I can't wait for Alexei to tell Grace the truth...although it might not be what she, or anyone, expected. I completely agree, I think that Grace has gone through such a trauma that only her mom potentially could help her, but then Grace is reminded of everything that she did and then feels alone again. xxx

Smiles180: Thank you! You too! How Grace gets information out of Alexei is interesting...much more Cam-esque xxx

ChameleonDancer: Don't worry! I've been busy too (and this year is about to get even busier!) I've replied to all of your questions on a PM because it's such a long explanation (which I think contains some spoilers and I don't want others to see) xxx

Guest: Thank you so much! xxx